‘Stats and History experts reveals’: They’ll be champions if these major areas are rectified quickly by the Springboks
Every Rugby World Cup has been won by a country with a powerful goal kicker who can convert pressure into points, and that seems likely to be the case again in France given the similarities among the nations that have so far prevailed in close games.
The history of the knockout rounds indicates that games will be decided by slim margins, and a kicker working at 80% or more could mean the difference between a happy victory and a heartbreaking loss.
Less than two tries have been scored per game in the previous eight World Cup finals, with kicks at poles accounting for 73% of the points.
The French tournament has already demonstrated that the boot can determine the outcome of a fight between two heavyweights.
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This was never more clearly demonstrated than in Saturday’s epic match between Ireland and South Africa in Paris, which Ireland won 13-8 despite the latter’s 11 missed field goal attempts. Although not the main factor in the Springboks’ defeat, it was a significant one.Despite Richie Mo’unga of the All Blacks having a 33% tee success rate, France fullback Thomas Ramos kicked 17 points as the hosts defeated New Zealand 27-13 in the opening encounter.
Simione Kuruvoli, the scrumhalf for Fiji, isn’t known for his kicking, yet in the Pacific Islanders’ historic 22-15 triumph over Australia, he converted five of his five attempts at goal.
In that game, the Wallabies outscored Fiji two tries to one, but Fiji won thanks to kicks at the posts.
In England’s 27-10 victory over Argentina, George Ford scored all of the team’s points on three drop goals and six penalties. In contrast, Argentina defeated Samoa 19-10 thanks to Emiliano Boffelli, a winger who was selected for his accuracy and helped his team win the match.
Consider the 18-18 tie between Portugal and Georgia, which remained tied after both sides squandered kickable goal-scoring opportunities in the dying seconds.
Due to the warm weather and the specific balls being utilized, the tournament’s conditions thus far have been ideal for kickers.
Early in the competition, Opta revealed statistics demonstrating that each kick out of hand was traveling about
average of 33.5 meters, which is fully seven and a half meters longer than this year’s Rugby Championship and nearly three meters farther than the 2023 Six Nations.
